AbstractBACKGROUNDThe encapsulated essential oils (EOs) of Piper aduncum L. and Piper hispidinervum C. DC. in gelatin nanoparticles were evaluated against Aedes aegypti Linn., Tetranychus urticae Koch and Cerataphis lataniae Boisd.RESULTSEncapsulation efficiency of the EOs was measured for absolute concentrations of 500 µg mL−1 (79.2 and 72.7%) and 1000 µg mL−1 (84.5 and 82.2%). The loaded nanoparticles were nearly spherical and well dispersed. The nanoparticles loaded with P. hispidinervum EO had an average size of 100 ± 2 nm, while the nanoparticles containing P. aduncum EO ranged from 175 ± 4 to 220 ± 4 nm. According to zeta potential analysis, the nanoparticles loaded with P. hispidinervum and P. aduncum EOs presented values around −43.5 ± 3 and −37.5 ± 2 mV respectively. The controlled release of EOs was described by the anomalous mechanism of Korsmeyer–Peppas. Both encapsulated EOs reached lethal dosages within 24 h of exposure and total mortality of the tested pests.CONCLUSIONThe present work successfully developed gelatin‐based nanoparticles that served as carriers for the EOs of P. aduncum and P. hispidinervum to be applied as a sustainable control tool of A. aegypti, T. urticae and C. lataniae. The developed loaded nanoparticles presented high encapsulation efficiency and EO concentration release higher than lethal dosages. This indicates that it is feasible to use gelatin‐based nanoparticles loaded with P. aduncum and P. hispidinervum EOs to control the tested pests. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry